tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39564739610574497252018-09-19T02:26:51.968-07:00the Jassdancerthe Jassdancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04902194561883643257noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3956473961057449725.post-26593845660393410872015-02-13T03:24:00.001-08:002015-08-20T18:23:43.083-07:00I Loved Los Angeles
*I really miss the LA swing scene and seeing the regulars all over So Cal on a nightly basis.
*We danced to all styles and era's of music and tempo's, even if we didn't have the skill too.
*We danced with our girlfriends all night, the term Dance Partner was foreign and lame.
*In The Neo-swing scene, it didn't matter how good you were at dancing, if the Jassdancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04902194561883643257noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3956473961057449725.post-61408118025365181122013-12-08T01:30:00.000-08:002015-02-13T12:46:21.303-08:00A story about Leather Shoes I'm always thinking about things to write, sometimes i just want to focus historic topics, sometimes i want to speak my mind. I just wanted to write something quickly to let everyone know, i actually didn't know that many people were actually reading this blog.
I hear all kinds of topics people bring up in the dance world which always create interesting topics, and what a great the Jassdancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04902194561883643257noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3956473961057449725.post-87807140239127250752013-08-21T18:47:00.000-07:002013-08-21T18:59:23.504-07:00Big Apple calls everyone should know!The Dance that took the Nation by storm in 1937, starting in South Carolina and named after the Club in which the kids watched the young African American dancers, from the balcony.
As the dance spread, steps were added from one city, town to the next. I think I've documented well over a hundred....but these steps would be the essentials to get started and have hours of fun.
1. Lets Big Apple!the Jassdancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04902194561883643257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3956473961057449725.post-9441259383645232732013-07-10T23:42:00.003-07:002013-07-11T02:51:51.278-07:00Maharaja, Finding it for Hal... It started in the middle 1990's while i was interviewing old time dancers who had been in films during the 1930's and 40's. Always talking about the movies they were in, and trying to collect them all.
During one of these interviews the legendary Hal Takier described film clips he had not seen of, or heard of since the time of filming. One of these movies i discovered at the the Jassdancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04902194561883643257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3956473961057449725.post-54317483606600598042013-04-19T21:00:00.002-07:002013-04-21T21:18:58.718-07:00A Great Day in Lindy HopThe "Great Day in Lindy Hop" photo was taken almost 10 years ago, Oct 9th, 2004, It was of course a recreation of a "Great Day in Harlem" from 1958. The location was Columbia University steps which was also Count Basie's 100 birthday celebration to held this weekend along with legendary musicians of the Basie Alumi.
A Great Day in Harlem 1958
All I can really remember was the intense the Jassdancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04902194561883643257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3956473961057449725.post-33668174796550496542012-10-28T14:10:00.001-07:002012-10-28T20:15:30.568-07:00Shorty George Snowden (July 4, 1904 - May 1982) July 4th 2004 was the centenary birthday of George "Shorty" Snowden, one of the most influential dance figures in US popular culture, yet one of the most unknown. Primarily responsible for the creation of the Lindy Hop, better known in the UK as the original form of "the jive," his precise role in this respect and how it links to his widespread dance legacy has so far escaped serious the Jassdancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04902194561883643257noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3956473961057449725.post-41803602039112670892012-03-14T03:28:00.002-07:002018-08-12T17:57:34.155-07:00
Jazz and the Italian Connection
By Bruce Boyd Raeburn
During a recent academic conference held in New
Orleans there occurred an exchange which might
best be described as droll but which was intrinsically
didactic. The setting was a panel discussion on jazz,
and the panelists were all historians who were
actively researching and publishing on the subject.
Following the various presentations the Jassdancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04902194561883643257noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3956473961057449725.post-23748509396747278912012-02-06T01:29:00.000-08:002012-02-06T01:29:55.954-08:00
One of the places I've become interested in is the Dreamland Dance at 540 S. Main in Los Angeles. Located on the second floor of the Burbank Theater, which went through many stages throughout it's history, from the art deco facelift in 1937 to turning into a Burlesque house.
The property today just holds memories of it's past...
540 S. Main, Downtown Los Angeles today...
the Jassdancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04902194561883643257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3956473961057449725.post-35877928645167972932012-02-06T01:09:00.000-08:002012-02-06T01:09:46.595-08:00I've been doing some research lately which lead me to dig through my matchbook collection. I thought i would share a couple of my favorites.
The Meadowbrook Ballroom was one of the many great ballrooms in Culver City. During the early 1940's it thrived hosting a who's who of legends that not only broadcasted but also recorded countless sides.
Boureston's is legendary among the greatest the Jassdancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04902194561883643257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3956473961057449725.post-61548034830681624642011-09-29T16:59:00.000-07:002017-06-15T02:55:18.850-07:00The Whip StoryThis was originally written in 2003 appearing on California Jazz Dance Foundation's website.
The Whip, possibly the most distinctive pattern in swing dancing identifiable with one person, Dean Collins.This article is about origin of what has become known as "The Whip" because I find it fascinating and it puts the truth in perspective and the influence of Irene Thomas.
Dean Collins, we can the Jassdancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04902194561883643257noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3956473961057449725.post-19862165903171569042010-12-26T13:28:00.000-08:002017-06-15T02:57:32.677-07:00Last Days of 2010Well, I thought I'd post one more time for 2010...I'd actually like to talk about a few dance things, like our Monday nights which are doing great. Meschiya Lake had the idea one night, as we were drinking at Mimi's and we made the proposal....what i didn't know was Mimi's loves dancing, so anyways, Every monday night we have our free dance class at 9:30 which is about 30 minutes.
"Mimi's in the Jassdancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04902194561883643257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3956473961057449725.post-58315195485360054612010-08-12T13:16:00.000-07:002010-08-12T13:20:04.660-07:00August 2010...back home again.
Swing Crash Como Italy
It's been a long summer, Starting with Swing Crash in Como Italy. Like last year, it focused on great bands and social dancing, with very few dance classes. Thanks to the event, classes don't start until around 2:00 in the afternoon! Talk about "it takes one to know one", I can tell a lot by the event, by it's schedule...that's for sure.
The Carling's from Sweden, was inthe Jassdancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04902194561883643257noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3956473961057449725.post-30204685334623189422010-05-18T14:59:00.000-07:002015-08-20T18:25:49.955-07:00Back in New Orleans I finally got back home after all the flight delays and cancellations, thanks to Iceland's friendly volcano. Balboa on the Promenade was a nice event, the floors spoiled me, as i had forgotten momentarily how easy dancing is on nice floors.
I was quickly reminded of how horrible the floors can be here, throw that in with the harsh conditions and lack of etiquette and we have a the Jassdancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04902194561883643257noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3956473961057449725.post-69116640148512571372010-05-09T08:26:00.000-07:002010-05-18T11:59:10.507-07:00Class Music!As promised, This is a List of the CD's used for class's...
Meschiya Lake and the Little Big Horns, Lucky Devil
The Palmetto Bug Stompers, Live @ DBA
The Palmetto Bug Stompers, Ol' New Orleans Home
Tuba Skinny,(Self Titled)
The Loose Marbles, The Recession session
The Loose Marbles, Gum Shoe
The New Orleans Cotton Mouth Kings, (self Titled)
The New Orleans Jazz Vipers, Hope your coming home
Thethe Jassdancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04902194561883643257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3956473961057449725.post-46051060165459591272010-04-04T09:07:00.000-07:002010-04-04T09:07:11.331-07:00March to April....It's been a long month, German, Spain, Solvenia and Lithuania, tonight being my last big night in Vilnus but i have classes tomorrow and will probably celebrate one last night, although it will be chill.
I've meet some extremely amazing people this month that have been nothing but kind, who shared their homes, food, family and friends making my job so much more rewarding for without them it the Jassdancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04902194561883643257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3956473961057449725.post-4208510388173474712010-03-01T16:01:00.000-08:002010-03-01T16:01:24.187-08:00TUBA SKINNY CD REVIEWHow lucky I am! Just after the recent amazing release of the new Cotton Mouth Kings, another awesome CD comes out by one of the newer local New Orleans Bands.
The Tuba Skinny Band is one of bands that loves busking on Royal street, and seeing them will leave you speechless!
Vocalist Erika Lewis fronts the band with Todd, or "Tuba Skinny" handling some of the musical direction, yes, from his the Jassdancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04902194561883643257noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3956473961057449725.post-31449775000237088432010-02-24T02:57:00.000-08:002010-02-24T21:51:30.059-08:00The New Cotton Mouth Kings CD!The self titled CD "the New Orleans Cotton Mouth Kings" has been a couple weeks now, and for many reason's I continue listening to it, if not for pure pleasure, then to take notes on the concept of this amazing band.
The style of music alone is something to ponder, taste, digest and yes, relish in the after taste. I've heard the members claim the style as being "New Orleans Swing", a descriptionthe Jassdancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04902194561883643257noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3956473961057449725.post-61600881174730932232010-02-22T01:33:00.000-08:002015-08-20T18:26:44.017-07:00anon commentsAside from being difficult responding to multiple users named anonymous, if i'm to take the time to share or respond to someone. i'd at least like to know the person is real, or at least has real intentions.
so I'm laying down some type of comment security, logging in, or something....thanks to everyone that reads!
So again, feel free to post or comment, however...use your darn name, so we canthe Jassdancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04902194561883643257noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3956473961057449725.post-58678536394837687452010-02-11T01:45:00.000-08:002010-02-11T01:52:49.916-08:00Dancing Hot and Sweet: New Orleans Jazz in the 1920s I came across this article in the special collections
at Tulane University which I've linked at the bottom.
I met Bruce a few years back in Moscow, Idaho at the
Lionel Hampton archive.
His knowledge is amazing, and this article along with
many others has helped me to further research specially
on the history of dance.
So, I hope you enjoy it...without people like Bruce,
reseaching, putting thethe Jassdancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04902194561883643257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3956473961057449725.post-952743628799396392010-02-08T03:29:00.000-08:002010-02-10T02:52:53.638-08:00So You wanna dance fast?One question that always comes up when teaching, is how to dance fast.
Dancing fast was never an issue, or a problem for me, because the simple fact is I dance for fun, first and foremost. In my early days of dancing as a "beginner" , i got up from my chair when the music moved me to do so, regardless of tempo. We never thought in terms of tempo, we just stepped on the floor with our Partner and the Jassdancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04902194561883643257noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3956473961057449725.post-43641867388178173472010-01-22T00:44:00.001-08:002010-03-17T10:13:52.035-07:00where have I been?Sorry, it's been awhile since i blogged but so much has been going on it's a bit hectic.
I'm finally all moved in, and for the most part adjusted. I will say it's a dream to be able to finally make a living playing music and dancing.
For those that don't know I moved into Jelly Roll Morton's childhood home New Orleans on Frenchmen st. and that can be a blog all by it's self. (it has been)
Afterthe Jassdancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04902194561883643257noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3956473961057449725.post-54522395604773539902009-10-24T04:37:00.000-07:002009-10-24T04:58:03.360-07:00Lionel P. Batiste, Sr.I snapped this shot of Lionel struttin down Frenchman street on a Sunday afternoon.One could not help to notice the fashion statement this legendary New Orleans figure makes. Lionel plays Bass drum and sings with the Treme Brass Band, named after The Treme neighborhood which borders the French Quarter. I believe the Treme is the actual home of Jazz, and it was these musicians that simply worked the Jassdancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04902194561883643257noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3956473961057449725.post-52491210613810448512009-10-05T20:03:00.000-07:002009-10-05T20:18:00.614-07:00Dawn HamptonAnother legendary dancer/performer/musician I've been fortunate to meet and become friends over the years is Dawn Hampton. I really never know what to expect, she is one of the smartest people i know, that can steal the show from anybody,anytime she chooses.Dawn was born in 1928, in Middletown, Ohio. Her father, Clark Deacon Hampton, Sr., had a family band and vaudeville act that was part of a the Jassdancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04902194561883643257noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3956473961057449725.post-18525642354827202842009-08-31T14:10:00.000-07:002009-08-31T15:51:02.635-07:00Jimmy Valentine This is an article I wrote about one of the many legends of dance that I've met, interviewed or in this case became good friends with. Jimmy was long retired living with his wife Mariam in Las Vegas at the time I got to know him. It didn't take long for us to bond as he enjoyed the early years of his life and dancing so much, what started out as an interview turned into years and countless the Jassdancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04902194561883643257noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3956473961057449725.post-32624341444548009222009-08-18T23:33:00.000-07:002010-02-13T13:05:38.477-08:00Frankie Manning May 26, 1914-April 27, 2009
It's been forever since i did anything on the internet because I've been strapped into traveling, working and then when time finally gives you a small break, the unexpected happens...
My time away from my internet time of updates, blogs and post started with the passing of Frankie Manning. I had been speaking to Elliot regularly about Frankies 95th birthday event which had been in the works the Jassdancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04902194561883643257noreply@blogger.com2